Chapter 6 - A Safe Haven
By 4:00 AM, Jonah returned to the Manhattan penthouse.
The apartment was quiet and dark, save for the soft warm glow of a single lamp left on in the living room.
When Jonah stepped into the foyer, removing his wet coat, he saw Stella sitting on the window seat overlooking the city skyline. She was still awake, wrapped in a blanket, resting her head against the glass.
Hearing his footsteps, she turned around quickly. Her eyes searched his face, scanning his clothes for any signs of blood or injury.
“You’re back,” she breathed out, a massive wave of relief washing over her face.
Jonah walked over to the window, leaning against the frame beside her. “I promised you I would be.”
“What happened?” she asked quietly. “Is... is it over?”
“It’s over, Stella,” Jonah said softly. “Mark Keller will be recovering in a hospital under heavy police guard for a long time. Sal Falcone has officially pulled all protection from Dean. Dean has signed over his assets to cover his debts, and my men are escorting him to a bus station out of state as we speak. If he ever returns to New York, he faces immediate arrest and worse.”
Stella stared at him, tears welling up in her dark eyes. For three years, Dean Keller had been an inescapable monster hovering over every second of her life. And in less than a week, Jonah Pierce had dismantled his entire reign of terror without breaking a single promise to her.
“I don't know how to repay you,” she choked out, a tear slipping down her cheek. “I don't have anything, Jonah. My apartment, my clothes... everything was tied to him.”
Jonah knelt down in front of the window seat, bringing his hands up to gently cup her face. His thumbs softly wiped away her tears.
“You don't owe me a thing, Stella,” he murmured, his thumb brushing over her soft cheekbone. “I didn't do this for money. I did it because from the moment you collapsed in my arms, I knew I was never going to let anyone hurt you again.”
Stella looked deep into his dark, intense eyes. Where the rest of the world saw a terrifying mob boss, she saw a man of fierce protection, absolute integrity, and unexpected warmth.
She leaned into his touch, resting her cheek against his warm palm. “I was so scared you weren't going to come back tonight.”
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“I will always come back to you,” Jonah promised, his voice thick with genuine emotion.
He leaned forward slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted to. But Stella didn't pull away. She closed her eyes as his soft, warm lips met hers in a gentle, protective kiss that felt like an anchor after years of surviving a storm.
